U.S. Service Member Killed In Afghanistan

A roadside bomb killed a U.S. service member Tuesday in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, according to a statement from NATO.

An American and six Afghan soldiers were also wounded in the explosion. They were serving with a NATO-led coalition near the province's capital of Lashkar Gah.

"The service member was killed conducting train, advise, assist activities with Afghan counterparts under NATO authorities when their patrol triggered an Improvised Explosive Device," the statement said.

It is the second American combat death in the country this year. Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock was killed in January in a firefight in the same Afghan province.

Approximately 700 U.S. troops are in the Helmand province for a training exercise, according to NATO.

The service member killed Tuesday was not identified, pending next-of-kin notification. NATO also did not say which branch of the military he or she served in.

"On behalf of all of US Forces — Afghanistan, as well as Resolute Support (NATO), our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of those involved," Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, said in the statement.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss, but remain committed to helping our Afghan partners provide a brighter future for themselves and their children."

Image via ResoluteSupportMedia, Flickr, used under Creative Commons